Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Stanthorpe's population is estimated at around 5,487 as of May 2026, reflecting an increase of 201 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 3.8% increase from the previous population count of 5,286 people. The estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, which indicated a resident population of 5,445. This level of population results in a density ratio of 171 persons per square kilometer. Stanthorpe's growth since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 5.0%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 55% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Examining future population trends, projections indicate a decline of 4 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, with the 85 and over age group projected to increase by 134 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Stanthorpe, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Stanthorpe averaged approximately 13 new dwelling approvals per year. Between financial years FY21 and FY25, around 66 homes were approved, with 15 more approved in FY26 as of current data. On average, each new home brought in about 0.3 new residents annually over the past five financial years.

This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with or even exceeding demand, providing buyers with more options and potentially driving population growth. The average expected construction cost value for new dwellings was $433,000. In FY26, Stanthorpe has registered $8.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating a residential character for the area. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Stanthorpe shows about 57% of the construction activity per person.

Nationally, it ranks around the 40th percentile of areas assessed, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction in Stanthorpe comprises approximately 77.0% standalone homes and 23.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining its traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. This is reflected by an estimated count of 415 people per dwelling approval, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. Given the expected stable or declining population, Stanthorpe may see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers in the future.

Stanthorpe has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly, including 14 Wallangarra Road Student Accommodation, The Avenues Stanthorpe, Stanthorpe Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, and Stanthorpe Streetscape Project.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Stanthorpe has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Stanthorpe's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 5.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.1%. As of December 2025, 2,283 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation is lower at 51.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Only 8.0% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Stanthorpe specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share three times the regional level, while mining representation is lower at 0.6%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1%, labour force by 6.4%, raising unemployment by 2.1 percentage points. Regional Qld recorded lower growth: employment at 0.7%, labour force at 1.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 points. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Stanthorpe's mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.0% in five years and 12.8% in ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Stanthorpe is $38,665 and the average is $47,217 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, with Regional Qld having a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth from March 2023 to March 2026 (an estimated increase of 11.36%), the current estimates for Stanthorpe would be approximately $43,057 (median) and $52,581 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Stanthorpe fall between the 2nd and 7th percentiles nationally. Incomes of $400 - 799 per week are common, with 33.2% of individuals earning within this range, while across broader areas, earnings of $1,500 - 2,999 per week dominate at 31.7%. Economic pressures are evident, with 42.7% of households having weekly budgets below $800 after housing costs. After accounting for housing expenses, 85.1% of income remains, which ranks at the 4th percentile nationally.

Stanthorpe is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Stanthorpe, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 11.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This differs from Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Stanthorpe stood at 44.8%, with mortgaged properties making up 23.8% and rented dwellings accounting for 31.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,200, lower than Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Stanthorpe was recorded at $250, compared to Regional Queensland's $345. Nationally, Stanthorpe's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Stanthorpe features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.1% of all households, including 18.6% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 36.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Stanthorpe faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (28.0%). Educational participation is high at 25.1%, comprising primary education (10.3%), secondary education (8.7%), and tertiary education (1.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Stanthorpe has six active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two routes that together offer 22 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to transport, with an average distance of 977 meters to the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 92% of residents, while walking accounts for 6%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Stanthorpe is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Stanthorpe faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~2,519 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.4%) and mental health issues (8.9%), while 59.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 33.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,810 people), higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld and national rankings.

Stanthorpe ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Stanthorpe's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.3% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (83.2%), and speaking English only at home (90.4%). Christianity is the predominant religion in Stanthorpe, with 62.6% of people identifying as Christian, compared to 52.2% across Regional Queensland. The top three ancestry groups in Stanthorpe are English (30.0%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.5%).

Notably, Italian ancestry is overrepresented in Stanthorpe at 8.2%, compared to the regional average of 2.4%. Similarly, German ancestry stands at 4.4% in Stanthorpe versus 4.7% regionally, while Korean ancestry is slightly higher at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 0.2%.

Stanthorpe ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Stanthorpe's median age is 50 years, which is significantly older than Regional Queensland's median age of 41 years and higher than the Australian median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that residents aged 65-74 years are particularly prominent, making up 16.6% of the population, while those aged 5-14 years make up only 9.2%, which is smaller compared to Regional Queensland's percentage. This concentration of residents aged 65-74 years is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the age group of 15-24 years has grown from 8.9% to 11.0%, and the age group of 75-84 years has increased from 10.5% to 12.2%. Conversely, the age group of 5-14 years has declined from 11.6% to 9.2%, and the age group of 55-64 years has dropped from 13.6% to 12.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Stanthorpe's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The age cohort of residents aged 85 years and above is projected to expand considerably, increasing by 129 people (56%) from 230 to 360. Senior residents aged 65 years and above will drive 73% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both age groups of 35-44 years and 45-54 years are projected to see reduced numbers.